I am a native Virginian from a military family
that moved
around the US and internationally, as many military families do.My lifelong association with horses began in
the hills and mountains of the Virginia countryside.I
have lived near Atlanta, GA for the last 25 years.I
was introduced to endurance riding in 1991
and I have participated in Limited Distance, and most open division
distances since.I began competing on an
Appendix Quarter
Horse, who I am now starting on his second career in Equine Search and
Rescue.
On my second horse, an Arabian, I have competed in past years in the
National
Championships.I have been active in
other sports and currently also enjoy backpacking and ocean kayaking.
Where I am now:
I am starting a new horse (another Arabian) and
plan to ride
him in some LD events next season along with competing my older Arab in
some 50
mile events and maybe a 100, if things go well.
I have been the
Trails
Chairman for SERA (Southeastern Endurance Riders Assn.) for the last
three
years and an active participant in the SETC (Southeastern Equine Trails
Conference), one of the premier trails conferences in the country.I am a member of the AERC Trails Committee
and have worked with Jerry Fruth and other committee members on
important
trails issues in the southeast.SERA’s
work with the horse trail system in the Talladega National Forest has
been
recognized by the National Forest Service.This trail work has been instrumental in advancing the
construction of
new trails to replace condemned trails, resulting in the return of
endurance
riding to the Talladega National Forest for the past three years.This past summer, my wife and I made the
trip to the Ft. Stanton Pioneer ride in NM. I saw, first hand, how much
can be
accomplished when good relationships are fostered between AERC and a
land
manager (the BLM).
I am also proud to be a member of the AERC Limited
Distance
Committee.I strongly believe that LD
participants deserve to be recognized with a national mileage award,
regional
and national Best Condition awards and a senior rider recognition
program.
I have helped develop a new rider education
package here in
the southeast where we conduct “New Rider” briefings at rides.We help new riders understand the sport by
explaining the importance of the welfare of their horse, the value of
“To
Finish Is To Win” and what to expect in their first “big endurance
adventure”.We provide some printed
material that the new riders can take home which offer some general
training
and nutritional guidelines for their future in our great sport of
endurance.
I feel that I
understand the
sport of endurance from the ground, not only through trail work, but
also as a
frequent ride volunteer and in ride management. When I am not riding,
you are
likely to find me working as a volunteer in any needed capacity to
actively do
all I can to improve the quality of our rides and to make the ride a
good and
safe experience for the riders and for the horses.
Although
I have
never
competed as an FEI participant, I support AERC’s relationship with the
international
equine community, while maintaining its independence and leadership
position in
endurance competition.I feel there is
ample room in our organization for those with the ability, time and
support to
compete internationally.
-- Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for
lunch
Democracy is two
wolves and a
lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb
contesting
the vote!
--Benjamin Franklin
